Finst

Aave and Solana Post Strong Gains While Bitcoin Holds Steady Near $60,000

Aave is getting a boost from speculation around a possible Kraken investment, while Solana stands out thanks to the rapid growth of tokenized stocks and DeFi activity.

By Luc Vesters
• 2 min read
Aave and Solana Post Strong Gains While Bitcoin Holds Steady Near $60,000

Key Takeaways

  • Bitcoin held steady around $60,000 on Friday after a recent price drop.
  • AAVE rose 19% after reports that Kraken is exploring a strategic 15% stake in Aave.
  • Solana climbed nearly 10% on more than $2.5 billion in tokenized stocks trading.

Bitcoin stayed near $60,000 (€52,600) on Friday even after its latest pullback, but the day’s strongest moves came from DeFi and the Solana ecosystem. Aave, the largest lending protocol in DeFi, saw its native token rise 19% over the past 24 hours. The rally followed reports that crypto exchange Kraken is considering a strategic investment that would give it a 15% stake in Aave at a $385 million (€338 million) valuation. Interest in the protocol had already picked up earlier after talk of a possible deal and planned buybacks, especially once Aave’s founder pushed back on rumors of heavy token selling and confirmed automatic buybacks.

Aave's Updated Framework and Investment Plans

Founder Stani Kulechov addressed speculation that Aave assets could be sold at a deep discount. He said all protocol revenue, which currently runs at $134 million (€118 million) on an annual basis, flows to the Aave DAO and ultimately supports AAVE holders through the "Aave Will Win" framework. Introduced in early 2026, the model is meant to strengthen the protocol’s long-term position by channeling revenue back into the community. Kulechov also unveiled "Aavenomics 3.0," a coming token redesign that includes an automatic buyback mechanism.

Solana Benefits From Explosive Growth in Tokenized Stocks

Solana (SOL) gained nearly 10% as trading in tokenized stocks accelerated sharply. Volume in that market climbed above $2.5 billion (€2.2 billion) this week, which is about 10 times higher than it was a month ago. That figure now accounts for more than 80% of all tokenized equity trading across blockchains worldwide. A big part of that growth comes from Solana’s xStocks platform, which launched in 2025 and now handles more than 95% of global on-chain tokenized stock trading.

The surge in activity also spilled over into several Solana DeFi tokens. The token tied to the network’s largest liquid staking protocol jumped 30%, while tokens linked to decentralized exchanges and liquidity protocols such as Meteora and Kamino Finance rose 7% and 9%, respectively.

Why This Matters for European Crypto Investors

For European crypto investors focused on DeFi and tokenized assets, the moves in Aave and Solana are worth watching. Rising volumes and new structures like Aave’s point to a market that is still evolving quickly, with fresh ways to manage tokens and access investment exposure. It may also be another sign that these products are gaining broader traction in the European crypto market.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. The information provided may be incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated and should not be relied upon as such. Nothing on this website should be considered a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any cryptocurrency. Investing in crypto-assets involves risk of loss.